February 21, 2006 - 17:36 AMT
Turkey Going to Return Magaravank Monastery in North Cyprus to Armenians
Turkey is going to return Magaravank monastery in occupied northern Cyprus to Armenians. The monastery founded in 5th century was leased for 49 years by Turkish businessman Dervish Ulus Syonmezler in 1997. The businessman said, "The Department of Historic Monuments and Museums of Northern Cyprus has annulled the agreement. I think Magaravank was included in the list of mansions awaiting return to southern Cyprus. For that reason the authorities of the Turkish sector annulled the agreement signed for 49 years. I certainly will sue them. But even if I win, I doubt they will hand the mansion over to me. Apparently the Turkish authorities of Northern Cyprus have decided to return the mansion to its true owners - the Cypriot Armenians," Istanbul-based Armenian weekly Agos informs.